"The 12 Labors of Nick is Book I of the Mýthos Trilogy and provides young adult readers with the engaging story of Nikólaos Chironopolous, a Greek boy who faces bullying, prejudice, and the juxtaposition of a strange world which intersects with his own in unexpected ways.
But his life, Greek heritage, and real connections to the world aren't as they appear, even though an early key lies in a strange singing woman who suddenly appears, rescues him from more bullying, then vanishes. This leads to further clues that even his parents know that he is truly different from the norm, connected to a world very different from the one he operates in.
When the truth comes out, Nick discovers his own parents are involved in something far stranger than he could ever have imagined.
The fantasy elements in The 12 Labors of Nick appear early and grow along with Nick's perceptions of and reactions to the world of Mýthos. When he encounters Medusa, renames her Helen, and embarks on a journey with her, teens will welcome the combination of fantasy elements, mythology, and the pragmatic personality of Nick who, used to being bullied and maligned, is surprisingly able to take charge of new realities and find his place in them.
From encounters with gods and mermen and many of the legends of Greek mythology to the different realities of a world where such beings exist, fantasy readers interested in stories with mythological connections will welcome the juxtaposition of modern and ancient that follows Nick through revised worlds and new challenges.
The action is nicely paced, characterization well done, and his personal discoveries about his father, heritage, and visions are injected into a story that holds a satisfying gallop to its pace without being overly action-packed. This allows young adults to easily absorb the mythological references and Nick's reactions to his changing world.
The 12 Labors of Nick concludes by tying up many loose ends,but ends his quest with an open door portending new books in the series. Young adults seeking an adventure story that is nicely tempered with personal challenge, new worlds, and newfound achievements will relish this story's evolution, unexpected twists, and outstanding reinterpretations of Greek culture and mythology."
